It sounds challenging to sell your Southern Maryland home in the winter, but it doesn’t have to be as hard as you think. Sure, the sun isn’t always shining and you might have to deal with snow and ice, but you can also make your home cozy and uber-inviting to winter house hunters. Here’s how.
Curb Appeal Still Matters
What do potential buyers see when they drive up to your home? This is known as curb appeal, and it’s one of the most important parts of home staging. Curb appeal is what will encourage the buyer to get out of their warm car into the cold … or drive off to the next listing.
There’s not a lot you can do about the snow on the ground, but there are several subtle updates that will appeal to Southern Maryland buyers.
- A new set of house numbers will make a big difference, especially in winter. Bigger is better so your house is easily recognizable.
- New door mats. Consider a seasonal option, and you may want to have a second mat ready for showings in case the daily one looks a little worse for the wear as a result of the weather.
- Clear the porch, driveway, and walkways of snow and ice.
- Paint the front door an eye-catching color. Zillow’s 2017 Paint Color Analysis finds that “doors painted in shades of dark navy blue to slate gray sold for $1,514 more.”
- Add life to the front porch with plants in attractive pots.
- Consider adding more outdoor lighting. When they think about lighting, most sellers focus on the home’s interior. While it’s crucial to have good lighting indoors, don’t neglect your outdoor lighting strategy.
Don’t forget the backyard! Most Southern Maryland home sellers ignore the features of their backyard when they’re preparing their home for the winter market. After all, backyards are usually used during the warmer times of the year! Don’t let winter discourage you from showing off the features of your yard.
Create a vignette as if it were 70 degrees and the sun was shining. If it’s not snowing, scrub the grill and leave it open. Set the patio table for an outdoor barbecue. Leave the hot tub running during showings.
Make an Impression in the Entry Way
Before you dash off to work in the morning, tidy your entry way. After curb appeal, your entry way sets the tone for the potential buyers’ entire visit to your home. Of course, it should be clean and free of clutter. Remove keys and other items that tend to get left on the table, boots that get kicked off at the door, and anything else that tends to pile up just inside the front door.
Run the vacuum or a mop over the floor, and consider adding fresh flowers or a live plant to add a pop of life to the area.
Maximize Light
The right lighting in your home helps draw attention where you want it, creates mood and ambience, alleviates shadows, and highlights textures, according to the American Lighting Association (ALA).
Even when it’s sunny, Southern Maryland real estate agents recommend that home sellers maximize the light inside the home. Typically, this involves leaving the window coverings open and turning on all the lights in the home.
Of course, you’ll want clean windows to allow what little sunlight there may be to reach the interior of the home. In winter, however, there is less sunlight, so you’ll need to get creative with your lighting.
Inventory your home’s artificial light sources. Lighting professionals recommend “layered lighting,” which includes overhead, task, and accent lighting. Include all three in your lighting scheme.
Aim for a higher wattage for your light fixtures. HGTV experts recommend “100 watts for each 50 square feet.”
Strategically placed mirrors will reflect nearby light, so consider adding some to your decorating scheme.
Subtle Accessories Make a Difference
You want your Southern Maryland home to feel welcoming, warm, and cozy. Drape a throw over the arm of the sofa or the back of a chair, add a fluffy comforter to the foot of the bed, and scatter richly-colored area rugs to create a cozier ambiance.
Excessive holiday décor can take the buyers’ focus off of the features you want them to notice, so keep it to a minimum. Some twinkly lights, vases of winter greenery, and bowls of sparkly tree ornaments set the mood without distraction and without alienating buyers.
Winter doesn’t have to be a challenging time to sell a Southern Maryland home. Think like a decorator, and your home will be the belle of the winter real estate market.
Brandywine MD Homes for Sale and Real Estate Services in Southern Maryland. You now have a search engine to help you with your Southern Maryland home search! And I’m ready to provide you with a custom home valuation if you’re considering selling your home. Let’s connect to discuss how I can help you. Contact Kimberly Bean at 301-440-1309
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